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[April 2001]
Degussa is sponsoring the VDI's Nanoworld 2001 at the Hanover Fair
Degussa AG will be demonstrating the practical benefits of its research into nano technology for six days, from April 23 to April 28, 2001, at the Hanover Fair in Germany. Degussa is sponsoring Nanoworld 2001 at the Hanover Trade Fair, where it will be presenting its current research projects. Nanoworld 2001 is a joint stand organized by the German Association of Engineers (VDI). This is the third time in succession that the exhibition includes current developments and applications in the area of nano technology.
The focal point of the exhibit is a "nano house" containing everyday objects that already include components produced using nano technology or will do in the future. Visitors can experience how nano materials from Degusssa will improve the properties of a range of products in the future: surfaces that repel dirt, computers that are far more powerful than the current generation, sharply focused photos that appear far more brilliant can be printed in record time on ink-jet printers, autos that are not scratched in the auto wash, efficient waste water treatment plants with ceramic membranes for filtration.
Just over a year ago, Degussa pooled its R&D in the field of nano technology in a special Project House Nanomaterials. Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), the project house has a budget of roughly 11 million Euros. 17 employees are working with universities on the development of new nano materials and manufacturing processes. Several pilot plants for a wide range of nano materials have already been completed.
The project house is based on Degussa's extensive experience in the production and marketing of ultra-fine powders. Examples include the fumed silica Aerosil, an area where Degussa is the global market leader, and industrial carbon black, where it ranks second in the world. Degussa aims to utilize this know-how and the corresponding market insight to gain a share of the fast-growing market for nano materials. "Given the speed with which projects and ideas are converted into marketable products and innovative processes in our Project House Nanomaterials, I am optimistic that we can rapidly achieve this goal," comments Dr. Alfred Oberholz, the member of Degussa's Board of Management who is responsible for Research and Development. The market for products manufactured using nano technology is growing at double-digit rates and the total market volume is expected to exceed about 50 billion Euros in 2001.
Degussa is an entirely newly-formed, globally active corporation consistently aligned to high-yield specialty chemistry. With a workforce of some 63,000 employees, it generated sales of Euro 16.9 billion and earnings before interest, tax and amortization (EBITA) of Euro 1.2 billion in fiscal 2000. Degussa's strength lies in system solutions tailor-made for customers in over 100 countries of the world.
Advice: Degussa at the Hanover Fair April 23-28, 2001 Hall 18, Upper Level, Stand K09 - "Research and Technology"
Contact: Hannelore Gantzer Spokeswoman
Corporate Communications
T direct: +49-211-65041-368
F direct: +49-211-65041-527
hannelore.gantzer@degussa.com
ENDS